The Elmira Jackals have added two defensemen to their roster, the team announced Wednesday.

Veteran J.D. Forrest and rookie Steven Shamanski have signed ECHL standard player contracts for the 2014-15 season.

Forrest, 33, has competed in Europe eight of the last nine seasons.

The Auburn, N.Y., native split the 2007-08 season between the Florida Everblades and the Jackals, along with stints in the American Hockey League with the Albany River Rats and Worcester Sharks. Forrest appeared in two games with Elmira and finished with a plus-1 rating.

“J.D. is a veteran who has accumulated years of experience at the highest levels of competition in Europe,” Jackals head coach Jamie Russell said in a press release. “He brings a steady presence to our blue line.”

“It will be great for me playing so close to my hometown,” Forrest said in the release. “I hope I can be a big part of a successful season.”

Shamanski, 24, rejoins Russell after completing his collegiate career at Providence, where Russell was an assistant coach before joining the Jackals.

“I have had the pleasure of coaching Steven for the past three seasons. He is a tremendously hard-working individual and possesses the skill set and compete level to be an impact player on our back end,” Russell said.

Shamanski, from Carberry, Manitoba, Canada, skated in three games at the end of last season with the ECHL Fort Wayne Komets.

“I am looking forward to working with Coach Russell again and hope that familiarity can help me transition from the college game to pro hockey,” Shamanski said in the release.

The Jackals open their home schedule Oct. 17 at First Arena against the Kalamazoo Wings. Tickets are available by calling 734-7825 or by visiting jackalshockey.com.